Skopje, 15 January 2024 (MIA) - Deputy PM for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj says ambassadors' advice regarding North Macedonia's Euro-integration process should be taken into consideration but ambassadors should consider also the circumstances and domestic positions.

"We should get used to individual countries having remarks on the course of the Euro-integration process. For the time being, we did everything we could that is unrelated to the constitutional changes and this will be on the table, as stipulated in the negotiating requirements. Meanwhile, Moldova and Ukraine will go through the screening and reach the stage we are currently in," Deputy PM Marichikj told TV24.

He adds the country is currently in a stage when it requires support for its European integration.

"It is very important that we get this support. We are aware of the shortcomings, which I am certain we will overcome during the negotiating process. Everyone's role in the problems should be reviewed," says Marichikj.

The Deputy PM says there is no going back on the EU integration path, that issues must be resolved, whereas the reasons for not settling certain issues during the past two government terms have been objective.

Marichikj added that resolving some large issues such as the problem with Greece, the NATO membership and the EU accession process have shown that North Macedonia is a more democratic country than any other in the region.

On hate speech directed at political opponents on social media, he says there should be institutional response at a given point.

"The purpose of hate speech is violence, unrest in society or someone's destruction. It is not normal to dehumanize political opponents or wish their death," says Marichikj.

Photo: Secretariat for European Affairs